Chinese Kale: An Asian Green Worth Growing in Your Garden
If you’re looking to add some international flair to your vegetable garden, Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra) might just be the perfect candidate. This leafy green vegetable, also known by its botanical name Brassica alboglabra, brings both culinary versatility and ornamental appeal to the garden table.
What Exactly is Chinese Kale?
Chinese kale is a member of the brassica family, closely related to regular kale, broccoli, and cabbage. In fact, it’s sometimes classified as Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra, highlighting its kinship with other familiar vegetables. Despite its name, this plant has thick, succulent stems and broad, blue-green leaves with a waxy coating that gives them an almost silvery appearance.
Where Does Chinese Kale Come From?
This distinctive vegetable hails from southern China, particularly the Guangdong province, where it has been cultivated for centuries. It’s not native to North America, so if you’re passionate about supporting local ecosystems, you might want to consider native alternatives like wild ginger, ramps, or native mustard greens alongside or instead of Chinese kale.
Why Grow Chinese Kale in Your Garden?
There are several compelling reasons to give Chinese kale a spot in your garden:
- It’s incredibly nutritious, packed with vitamins A, C, and K
- The entire plant is edible – leaves, stems, and flower buds
- It adds visual interest with its unique blue-green foliage
- It’s relatively easy to grow and maintain
- The small yellow flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies
Garden Design and Landscape Role
Chinese kale works beautifully in several garden settings. It’s perfect for vegetable gardens, where its distinctive appearance can break up the monotony of typical greens. In edible landscape designs, it serves as an attractive foliage plant that happens to be delicious. Container gardeners will also find it well-suited to pots and raised beds.
The plant typically grows 12-18 inches tall and spreads about 8-12 inches wide, making it a good mid-height option for garden beds. Its upright growth habit and sturdy stems give it a architectural quality that works well as a temporary ornamental.
Growing Conditions and Care
Chinese kale is surprisingly adaptable, but it does have some preferences:
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight)
- Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0
- Temperature: Prefers cool weather; grows best in temperatures between 50-70°F
- Water: Consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions
USDA Hardiness Zones and Planting Tips
Chinese kale is typically grown as an annual crop in USDA zones 2-11, though it performs best in cooler conditions. In warmer zones, it’s often grown as a fall, winter, or early spring crop to avoid the intense summer heat.
Here are some key planting and care tips:
- Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow in the garden
- Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and space plants 6-8 inches apart
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
- Harvest leaves when young and tender, typically 50-70 days from seed
- Regular harvesting encourages continued production
Pollinator and Wildlife Benefits
When allowed to flower, Chinese kale produces clusters of small, bright yellow blooms that are quite attractive to pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects will visit these flowers, making it a nice addition to pollinator-friendly gardens. The flowers are also edible and add a mild, sweet flavor to salads.
Should You Grow Chinese Kale?
Chinese kale can be a wonderful addition to gardens where gardeners are interested in expanding their culinary horizons and don’t mind growing non-native plants. It’s not considered invasive or problematic, so there’s no environmental concern about growing it responsibly.
However, if you’re committed to native plant gardening, consider exploring indigenous edible plants like lamb’s quarters, purslane, or native mustard species that can provide similar nutritional benefits while supporting local ecosystems.
Whether you choose Chinese kale or native alternatives, the most important thing is to grow what brings you joy and fits your gardening goals. Happy growing!
